Minnesota's Reggie Lynch cleared to play in 2016-17

More than a month after prosecutors declined to file sexual assault charges against Minnesota center Reggie Lynch, the school's cleared him to play for the 2016-17 season, Marcus Fuller of the Star Tribune confirmed Thursday.

Lynch was suspended indefinitely following his arrest in May on allegations he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman in a campus apartment. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office declined the case Aug. 1.

Lynch played his first two seasons with Illinois State, averaging 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds for the program before transferring to Minnesota. After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer regulations, Lynch should be a key contributor for a Golden Gophers team that won just eight games.